Evans, Ojeda, Irvine Honored by Orange Empire Coaches

Rancho Santiago’s Kyle Evans and Cypress’ Augie Ojeda were selected as co-most valuable players and Kirk Irvine of Rancho Santiago was selected the pitcher of the year by the Orange Empire Conference baseball coaches.

Evans, a sophomore first baseman from Katella High, hit .429 with 17 doubles, nine home runs and drove in 47 runs. Ojeda, a sophomore shortstop from Downey Pius X High, batted .313 and scored 54 runs in 44 games.

Irvine, a sophomore right-hander from Chino Hills Ayala High, was 9-3 with a 2.23 earned-run average. He had 80 strikeouts in 109 innings and pitched a no-hitter.

Don Sneddon, who led Rancho Santiago to its sixth conference title in eight seasons, was named coach of the year.

The first team:

Pitchers--Mike Cosgrove (Cypress), Mark Gardner (Orange Coast), Travis Harford (Riverside), Kirk Irvine (Rancho Santiago), Devin Kessler (Riverside), Ryan McDermott (Saddleback), Scott Parsonage (Fullerton), Ara Petrosian (Cypress).

Infielders--Pat Antrim (Saddleback), Kyle Evans (Rancho Santiago), Ryan Johnson (Saddleback), Jeff Pickler (Cypress), Augie Ojeda (Cypress), Poncho Ruiz (Fullerton), Nick Valencia (Orange Coast), Tony Zuniga (Rancho Santiago). Catchers--Brian Downs (Riverside), David Trentine (Cypress).

Outfielders--Jason Clark (Riverside), Ryan Fullerton (Rancho Santiago), Diego Rodriguez (Riverside), Andy Tellez (Fullerton), Geoff Wilson (Orange Coast).

Utility--Dan Bergmann (Fullerton). Designated hitter--Corey Dean-Yeager (Cypress).